onkyo

Onkyo's new flagship 3D Blu-ray player costs $600

Onkyo has announced a new flagship 3D Blu-ray player, the BD-SP809, to be released in August for $600. In addition to Blu-ray, the BD-SP809 offers several streaming-media services, including Netflix, Vudu, Blockbuster, and Film Fresh. There's also a USB on the back panel, with the BD-SP809 capable of playing back several digital file formats, including DivX HD, MP3, and WMA.

The BD-SP809 is also THX-certified and (more importantly to us) includes Marvell's Qdeo processing, which we've found to deliver excellent image quality on Blu-ray movies and DVDs in the past. There are two HDMI outputs, which is helpful for those with an older receiver that has non-3D compatible HDMI inputs. Alternatively, dual-HDMI outputs can be used to connect to both a TV and projector simultaneously.… Read more

Onkyo TX-NR609 review: 6 HDMI ins, but no AirPlay

Onkyo has a reputation for delivering tons of features and high-end performance at a budget price, and in many ways the TX-NR609 fits the bill.

It's packed with six HDMI inputs (including a front-panel input), built-in networking (plus an optional Wi-Fi dongle for a very affordable $40), and more streaming-music services than even the Denon AVR-1912. Even better, the current street price is around $495, which is the cheapest we've seen a midrange receiver of this caliber.

But it's missing the one feature that many buyers will care about: AirPlay. We're definitely fans of Apple's … Read more

Two more AV receivers join Onkyo's 2011 lineup

Less than two months after unveiling three new AV receivers with loads of extra features, Onkyo is already expanding its 2011 lineup. The new models feature Marvell Qdeo 4K video upscaling, USB audio support, and the ability to stream some Internet audio services such as Pandora, Rhapsody, and XM. HT-RC360 and HT-RC370 replace last year's HT-RC260 and HT-RC270, respectively.

Read on to find out more about Onkyo's latest additions and see some of their key features.… Read more

Two home theater systems join Onkyo 2011 line

Along with updates to its AV receiver line, Onkyo has announced two new home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) systems in its 2011 line. These new systems look to be largely similar to last year's HT-S3300 and HT-S5300, with a few upgrades.

Key features of the Onkyo HT-S3400:

5.1-channel HTIB Four HDMI inputs Advanced HDMI features like 3D pass-through and audio return channel (ARC) Onscreen graphical user interface (GUI) $380 list price; available in April

Key step-up features of the Onkyo HT-S5400:

7.1-channel HTIB Dolby Pro Logic IIz processing Can directly connect iPod/iPhone via front-panel USB port Powered subwoofer $600 … Read more

Onkyo brings networking to its midrange receivers

Receivers used to be little more than an amplifier, then they became the central hub for video signals, and now they're getting network functionality too. Onkyo has announced three new AV receiver models, with the two higher-end models featuring an Ethernet port and the ability to add Wi-Fi (via a dongle) for $40. A lot has changed in Onkyo's AV receiver line for 2011, so let's run down the most important features.… Read more

Onkyo 'rediscovers' stereo components

Onkyo may be best-known for its receivers and home theater-in-a-box systems, but the company planted deep roots in audiophile-grade hi-fi in the 1970s. As I recall, Onkyo had more street cred among audiophiles than Sony or Pioneer in the days before home theater ruled the roost.

Today at CES in Las Vegas Onkyo will debut a new range of elite stereo hi-fi components, with a style reminiscent of the company's classic models of the 1980s. All three components--the P-3000R preamplifier, M-5000R power amplifier, and C-7000R CD player--incorporate Onkyo's new Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry (DIDRC), that is said … Read more

The 'cure' for receiver feature glut: Stereo receivers

Judging by the Comments responding to my recent "Do receivers have too many features?" blog post, a lot of folks think today's receivers are overstuffed with gizmos. Now sure, if you crave a full complement of the latest doodads--streaming Rhapsody-Napster-Pandora-Flickr, USB inputs, iPhone certification, Audyssey MultEQ XT Auto Calibration, Wi-Fi, Windows Vista, DLNA, HD Radio, Internet Radio, multiroom-multizone connectivity, Ethernet and RS-232C ports, or Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmission Capability--rush out and buy a home theater receiver. Enjoy reading the 120-page operating manual and exploring layer after layer of setup options. Good times!

But if the goal is to simply enjoy music and a movie every now and then, do yourself a favor and consider a stereo receiver, or if you don't care about radio, an integrated amplifier (an integrated amp is essentially a receiver without a radio). Another plus for stereo home theater converts, they'll never have to deal with convoluted speaker setup menus, or risk an out-of-balance sound mix. Stereo is nearly impossible to get wrong.

A lot of people think stereo receivers are old hat and they "have to" buy a surround receiver. Wrong! And as I pointed out in the blog post the other day, home theater receiver features aren't "free"; manufacturers pay very significant licensing fees and royalties to the companies that developed those features. To bring a receiver in on budget, engineers and product planners make cost-saving decisions to cut back on other aspects of the design. The audio circuitry is probably the first to take a hit.

With stereo receivers the engineering budget is directed to the audio side and Denon, Marantz, NAD, Onkyo, Sony and Yamaha all make stereo receivers. Apparently, there's still a market for stereo components, and now that more and more folks are getting into LPs, most new stereo receivers have turntable inputs. … Read more

Onkyo updates its flagship THX HTIB with 3D

Onkyo has announced the latest version of its flagship home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) system, the HT-S9300THX. While most of the details are similar to last year's excellent HT-S9100THX, the company has added a few key upgrades, including 3D compatibility, a new graphical user interface, and HDMI pass-through functionality when the receiver is in standby mode. These are the key key features announced so far:

Key features of the Onkyo HT-S9300THX:

Four HDMI 1.4a inputs 3D pass-through capability (can pass 3D video signal to compatible TV from 3D video source) THX I/S Plus certified HDMI Thru functionality (passes HDMI signals … Read more

Onkyo's new brawny HTIBs are 3D-ready

Onkyo's home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) systems have a reputation for stellar sound quality, and they get that done with big, powerful speakers that aren't found on many competing systems. The company's latest two HTIBs, the HT-S6300 and HT-S7300, look like incremental updates to last year's excellent systems, with 3D pass-through being the major addition. Here's a quick rundown of the important specs.

Key features of the Onkyo HT-S6300:

Four HDMI 1.4a inputs 3D pass-through capability 1080p analog upconversion Audyssey 2EQ automatic speaker calibration 290-watt subwoofer Onkyo UP-A1 iPod dock included $750 list price; currently available

Key … Read more

Crave giveaway with Dolby Volume: Onkyo TX-NR3007 9.2-channel AV receiver

In case you missed last week's giveaway, Dolby has been sponsoring the Crave Giveaway of the Week and continues to serve up some sweet home theater prizes. Last week we had Harman's AVR-3600 AV receiver. This week, Dolby's doing you one better with the Onkyo TX-NR3007 9.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver with Dolby Volume.

Here's what Dolby has to say about the Onkyo TX-NR3007: "This powerhouse 9.2-channel receiver features advanced Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Dolby Volume signal processing in addition to Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD decoding. Advanced networking capabilities allow you to stream Internet audio and PC files for playback through your home theater system." (See full specs on Onkyo's Web site).

Normally, the TX-NR3007 would cost about $1,265, but you have the chance to get it gratis.

So, how do you try to win this Onkyo AV receiver? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.

Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, there's no need to register again. Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated. Leave only one comment. You may enter this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified. The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive (1) Onkyo TX-NR3007 AV receiver. Approximate retail value is $1,265. If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Monday, June 21 at noon EDT.